Glimmers of hope for relegation threatened teams but lots of danger remains.

Park Joo Ho — No change.

Lee Chung Yong — Made the bench but didn’t come on.

Ki Sung Yueng — Ki’s poor movement is starting to get worrisome. Ki has never been the most motivated runner but you would think that with relegation so close and a showcase event like Sunday vs Manchester United that Ki would be hustling all match. Instead Ki looked selective in his effort, albeit turning on the effort more than last weekend. When he did move, he looked pretty good with some good runs and touches but that made the flat moments all the more visible. He was subbed off as he fatigued but it says something when the older Britton who has virtually no tread left on his tires was taken off after Ki. He was ok, even good for much of the match, but not sure that was enough to be a regular starter in final matches. But a valuable point, and some confidence for the club especially knowing that things would be quite different if certain things played out differently (Southampton missing last second penalty, Rashford’s dive earning PK).

Ji Dong Won — Came on as a late sub but it was a huge win for Augsburg who finally scored some goals and more amazingly kept a clean sheet, albeit against inept Hamburg. The bad news is that Augsburg looked good without Ji so he may have to sit on the bench a bit, but the good news is that Augsburg are two points clear of playoff spot and while far from safety, at least can see some hope on the horizon.

Koo Ja Cheol — Out for season.

Kwon Chang Hoon — I only watched touch videos but KCH looked good when he came on as a sub a bit past the hour mark. It may be frustrating for him and for Dijon fans to sit on the bench but if he keeps causing danger as he did Sunday, more chances and a bigger role have to come soon. He had some nice touches that coulda/shoulda been assists and had a chance to score the winner late after some good work. Hopefully he gets to start soon and similarly, hopefully I get to watch him live soon too.

Son Heung Min — A match without a goal or an assist, and yet maybe the strongest sign yet that Son may be finally maturing as a player. Taking chances at the right time, pitching in on the defensive end, and moving with confidence are all things that we saw on Sunday but previously seemed reserved for only after he had scored. Last season, Son looked out of sync with his teammates’ rehearsed moves, and even on his hot streak in the fall felt like a function of independent brilliance. But Sunday he contributed strongly to the team despite not being at the top of his game and it feels like a positive step forward in his mental maturity. It’s too bad his hard work wasn’t rewarded when he kicked a ball against Alexis Sanchez’ elbow in the box and yet a penalty wasn’t called.

Tavern Owner: I got to see the north London derby at a different tavern (Blue Side in Maryland) with other Spurs supporters and observed Son doing something that reminded me of his days bombing down the field – countering attacking with skillful poise. Indeed, Son moved the ball very, worked efficiently, quick in sync one touch passing in approved Pochettino methodology. Remember Son struggling as wingback against Arsenal? Son reversed that bad mojo, and it was Park Chu-Young’s old teammate Alex Oxlade Chamberlain turn playing wingback who bore the brunt of having to defend deep against Son’s penetrating runs down the left. Analysts noted how the young Chamberlain’s usual offense contributions to the Gunners was tactically negated as he was pinned back far deeper than he or Arsene Wenger had planned. Son got the better of him in one spectacular take on, leaving Son charging into space with a delicious shot on goal – though blocked -fell to Eriksen who volleyed it just over the crossbar – as it turned out was Spurs best chance to score before halftime. Curiously, Son was shifted over to the right- where he also caused problems. Son’s incisive passing was often found his target operating in the box – causing chaos for the defense. And to echo Skimmilk – everyone saw in slo motion replay that Son was absolutely correct – a clear handball from Alexis that should have resulted in a penalty. Nevertheless, a commanding 2-0 win was more than enough. Cancel St. Totterham’s day everyone, all eyes now on whether Chelsea can drop points with Spur as the most exciting and tactically nimble squad in the Premiership.

One more note: it’s interesting that while Son didn’t score, it was perhaps one of his best performances in a Spurs uniform. He’s had quite a season to be certain, but there’s been previous games where he scored – made headlines and obvious impact with said goal, but as longtime watchers of Son know – his touches leave something to be desired. This was more a complete game despite the lack of getting on the scoreline. Ball control, passing, dribbling, moving the ball into space, positioning, tracking back in defense, runs – his contribution wasn’t headline grabbing. But Poch knows and so do we – his confidence was clear to see. He’s part of perhaps one of the best Spurs side in their history and it’s exciting to see how much more Son can grow and develop into. BTW he made WhoScored.com’s Premier League team of the week:

Josh King is on quite the run of form, with his showing against Sunderland enough to earn a place in our Premier League team of the week pic.twitter.com/aowilGnQBO

Frente Tricolor in full throated support mode – officially are happy with a 1:0 home win over Pohang – Santos goal seals it. 2nd loss in a row for Pohang. Pohang keeps sliding down from the top 4 while Suwon asserts themselves into 4th in the table.

FC Seoul regroup to eek out 3 points against Jeonnam, Osmar unmarked on a set piece knocks in the only goal

Incheon remarkably with their 1st win of the season – away at Sangju no less!

Battle for the top: ladies and gentlemen, #1 vs#2 results in a lopsided Jeonbuk home loss 0:4 to upstarts Jeju United! Jeonbuk had been suffering a string of injuries, but none could have predicted Jeju dismantling the Asian champs in this fashion. Jeju leapfrogs over Jeonbuk in the table (but just barely)

Jeju dismantles Jeonbuk at home, moves to the top of the table. Jeonbuk now breathing down Jeju's neck. Island fever! ⛰⚽️🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/k5zmyPcvu0

K League Classic

Most recent soccer data here. The system is currently retrieving statistics from data feed.

#

Team

P

1

Gyeongnam

9

2

Gangwon

9

3

Pohang Steelers

7

4

Jeonbuk Motors

6

5

Suwon Bluewings

4

6

Incheon United

4

7

Jeju United

4

8

Jeonnam Dragons

3

9

Sangju Sangmu

3

10

Seoul

1

11

Daegu

1

12

Ulsan

0

Most recent soccer data here. The system is currently retrieving statistics from data feed.

March 18, 2018

Suwon Bluewings

1 - 1

Pohang Steelers

Ulsan

0 - 1

Jeju United

Jeonbuk Motors

2 - 1

Seoul

March 17, 2018

Jeonnam Dragons

1 - 3

Gyeongnam

Gangwon

2 - 1

Sangju Sangmu

Incheon United

0 - 0

Daegu

English Premier League

Most recent soccer data here. The system is currently retrieving statistics from data feed.

#

Team

P

1

Manchester City

81

2

Manchester United

65

3

Liverpool

63

4

Tottenham Hotspur

61

5

Chelsea

56

6

Arsenal

48

7

Burnley

43

8

Leicester City

40

9

Everton

40

10

AFC Bournemouth

36

11

Watford

36

12

Brighton & Hov…

34

13

Newcastle United

32

14

Swansea City

31

15

Huddersfield Town

31

16

Crystal Palace

30

17

West Ham United

30

18

Southampton

28

19

Stoke City

27

20

West Bromwich Albion

20

Hwang Heechan

Most recent soccer data here. The system is currently retrieving statistics from data feed.

#

Team

P

1

Red Bull Salzburg

62

Bundesliga

Most recent soccer data here. The system is currently retrieving statistics from data feed.

#

Team

P

1

Bayern München

66

2

Schalke 04

49

3

Borussia Dortmund

48

4

Eintracht Frankfurt

45

5

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

44

6

RB Leipzig

43

7

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

39

8

Stuttgart

37

9

Borussia Mönchengladbach

36

10

Augsburg 1907

35

11

Hertha BSC

35

12

Werder Bremen

33

13

Hannover 96

32

14

SC Freiburg

30

15

Wolfsburg

25

16

1. FSV Mainz 05

25

17

1. FC Köln

20

18

Hamburger SV

18

Kwon Changhoon

Most recent soccer data here. The system is currently retrieving statistics from data feed.

#

Team

P

10

Dijon

38

Search for:

The Tavern of the Taeguk Warriors is an online community of Korean football/soccer supporters. We bring you news, analysis and opinion in English about Korean players abroad, youth players and the K League.